Plymouth boss outlines Alfie Devine vision after striking 'no-brainer' Tottenham loan agreement

Plymouth Argyle head coach Ian Foster has revealed that it was a «no-brainer» to sign Alfie Devine on a loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. Making quite the impression for Port Vale in the first half of the campaign after contributing three goals and four assists in 26 appearances, it was confirmed on Wednesday morning that Spurs had exercised their option to recall the 19-year-old from Vale Park.

Looking like Devine would move up a level after his time in Staffordshire was brought to an early end, the England Under-20 international was immediately on the move as he linked up with Championship side Plymouth Argyle. Devine joins fellow Tottenham youngster Ashley Phillips in making the move to Home Park after the centre-back sealed a loan to the Pilgrims last week.

The attacking midfielder's switch to Plymouth sees him reunited with Foster, who previously coached him in the England set-up at Under-19 and Under-20 level. As the new Plymouth boss knows everything about the youngster and what exactly he can bring to the team in what remains of the season, it was a very simple decision for him to make.

“Alfie is a player I’m really familiar with," Foster told Plymouth's official website. «I've known Alfie since his Wigan days, when I was working for the FA. We had a lot of players coming through the pathway at Wigan. When selecting Alfie for England teams, he played a year up, which shows you the level of confidence I have in him, in terms of his ability and his character.

“Bringing him here was a no-brainer in terms of knowing what I'm getting from the person and the player. I know how talented he is, I know how hard working he is, and it gives me a little bit of a head start because he knows the role and he knows exactly what